Improvement in machines for making lightning-rods



- 2'Sheets--Sheet 1 T. .H. PATEE.

Machine for Making Lightning-Rods.

No. 202,578. Patented April 16, 1878.

WI "NESSESIV I m INVE 170R v i v ATTORNEYS N.P ETE.RS, PHDYO-UTD IOGRAFHER. WASHINGTON, vDHC I UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

THEODORUS H. PATEE, OF BOONVILLE, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR MAKING LIGHTNING-RODS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 202,578, dated April 16, 1878; application filed J annary 16, 1878.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THEODORUS H. PATEE, of Boonville, in the county of Cooper, and in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Making Lightning-Rods; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction and arrangement of a portable lightning-rod machine mounted upon Wheels, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, referring to the annexed drawings, in which Figure l is a plan view of my machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the-same, and Fig. 3 shows the form of dies for making one kind of lightning-rod.

A represents the bed or body of a Wagon or other vehicle, mounted upon wheels B B. Preferably I intend to use such wagons as are generally employed by lightning-rod men.

0 represents a box, of any suitable dimen sions, containing a series of spools, D D. This box is placed into the bed of the wagon, and fastened by a bail, to, in a hook, I), secured to the bottom of the bed. On the spools D are placed the coils of wire or metal strips (1. From these coils the ends are drawn back and passed through one or more dies or guides, G, which are constructed in any suitable manner to conform to the shape of the rod intended to be made. The dies or guides G are placed in afraine or box, E, which also rests upon the bottom of the bed A, and is connected to the box 0 by hooks e, or other convenient means.

The ends from the coils d are drawn far enough through the guides to allow them to be grasped with tongs H. These tongs are provided with a screw-shaft, I, for closing the jaws firmly, so as to hold the strips and wires beyond possibility of slipping out. The tongs are, by links ff, connected with a crank-shaft, J, passing through a bar, K. It is usually anchored by passing the bar K through a fencecrack, as shown in Fig. 2. Now, having the end of the rod to be made fastened to the fence or other convenient object, the horses are started forward with the Wagon, and, of course, the coils begin to pay off their material through the dies, and the rod is formed as fast as the horses walk. During this operation the crank-shaft J is turned by hand, to give the rod the required twist.

111 case a rod is made which needs no twisting, the crank is dispensed with, and the tongs H fastened by a chain to a post fence, tree, or any convenient object.

In operation, the measure of the building is first taken, and the operator then draws out just the amount wanted and cuts it 011', thus making the rod right on the ground where it is to be put up. It saves all the expense of manufacturing, as the operator can make the rod about as fast as he could uncoil and straighten out cable-rod made in the usual way.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and Letters Patent, is-

In combination with the wagon-body and means for holding the end of the rod, the box 0, for holding the spools, and the detachable frame E, with its dies or guides, as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of November, 187 7.

THEODORUS H. PATEE.

Witnesses:

VICTOR LEWIs MASON, EDWARD J ONES.

desire to secure by 

